A wide variety of data, collected in 1985 and 1986, is presented in this first biennial report that deals with U.S. housing and the demographic, social, and economic characteristics of its occupants. The U.S. Census American Housing Survey of 1985 is the primary database for the report, which provides an excellent resource for teacher background or student projects. Part 1 of the report covers physical characteristics: types of housing, regional housing patterns, year built, size, plumbing facilities, and water source. Part 2 deals with the housing market and financial characteristics: tenure and mortgage status, home prices, real estate taxes, regional homeowner costs, rental costs, condominiums and cooperatives, and mobile homes. Part 3 presents information on social and economic characteristics: housing occupancy, householder ages and tenure, income, marital status of homeowners and of renters, household mobility, householders with children, elderly, Black, and Hispanic householders. The statistical information is presented narratively as well as graphically in the form of charts, graphs, and tables. (JB)